7 comments:

fnord
said...

Australian here: yes, it's a hugely divisive issue in various politically important electorates, particularly in Western Sydney, somewhat less so elsewhere. Largely egged on by the Murdoch dominated press, successive Liberal and Labor governments have had to compete to show how tough they can be with the 'illegals' and 'queue jumpers', often using language borrowed from the US conservative's Mexican immigration phrasebook.

fnord basically nailed it with his comments. Indonesia is the main departure point for boats, as it's easy to get into Indonesia. Lots of the 'boat people' fly to Indonesia, then get on a boat to Australia.

Western Sydney: I don't know, but everyone seems to think it's important to keep them happy. It's actually a bunch of electorates, which Wikipedia describes as:

"Western Sydney is considered a particularly crucial region in federal politics, and the region's social conservativism has been credited with forming policy on migration and the treatment of asylum seekers by both major political parties."

Best I can tell it is mostly held by the ruling Labor party at present ("Labor heartland"), but not by much, so they are desperate to keep it and the coalition are desperate to take it.